“Brother Liu!” “General Liu!” The Li family’s strong fighters were greatly alarmed and quickly examined the scene. After a moment, they exchanged glances and all shook their heads.
Qian Ye stood not far away, watching the situation with a mix of emotions. The man who had fallen was even more powerful than Lu Sha, yet he was in such a state. Perhaps if he hadn’t pushed himself so hard, he wouldn’t have died at the base’s entrance.
Turning his gaze, Qian Ye saw a group of people waiting at the base’s entrance for inspection. There were about thirty people in the group, almost all injured, and half of them were being carried. A young soldier sat on a flat cart, staring blankly into the distance. His body was wrapped in bandages, and one of his legs was missing. Such injuries, even in a noble’s private army, would be too costly to treat for an ordinary soldier. He would have to use a cane for the rest of his life.
The soldiers at the gate checked each person meticulously, even the severely wounded. No matter how serious the injuries, they didn’t stir any emotion in the guards. Qian Ye knew it wasn’t because the soldiers were cold-hearted, but because they had seen so much of this that they had become numb.
Qian Ye stood outside the base’s entrance for a while, seeing only returning groups and no teams leaving to fight. This was a stark contrast to the recent past when nobles’ forces gathered and teams left in a constant stream.
Seeing this, a shadow of gloom settled over Qian Ye’s heart.
Entering the base, Qian Ye did not go to his quarters but instead headed to the trading area. With the increase in noble forces, naturally, there was a greater need for transactions. The Li family, being adaptable, had designated a specific area within the base for free trade among various parties.
The trading area seemed to be quieter due to the war, with fewer soldiers moving around than vendors. Qian Ye walked and looked around, occasionally picking up items to examine.
The trading area had everything from common weapons and ammunition to exotic beast organs. There was even someone selling saplings of giant trees. But Qian Ye, having seen the growth of these trees, immediately recognized the sapling as a fake.
Under normal circumstances, many freelance hunters would sell their spoils here. However, the amount and value of the spoils in Qian Ye’s possession were too great for most individuals. Selling them in bulk to the Lu family, which specialized in dark race equipment, would save a lot of trouble.
As he left the trading area, Qian Ye’s backpack contained a bucket of giant tree sap. This sap was abundant in the Misty Forest, and a full bucket sold for just one gold coin, with half the price being for the container. Not just any bucket could hold the sap.
The giant tree sap was not sold as a source liquid but as a natural toxin, and it was used on humans. When Qian Ye bought a whole bucket, the seller blinked and gave a knowing look.
Returning to his quarters, Qian Ye put down his things and, instead of practicing, went to a bar. He planned to have a drink to relax his overly tense nerves.
The bar was crowded with people, and the strong beats of the music thumped in everyone’s hearts, making their blood boil. This bar was just one of many in the base. As the war situation deteriorated, the bar business thrived. Many found reasons to drink: not yet dead, or about to die, and needing to enjoy life.
Pushing through the bandaged soldiers and nearly naked women, Qian Ye finally reached the bar, placed a gold coin on the counter, and said, “Anything, just make it strong.”
The man behind the counter gave Qian Ye a long look, took the coin, and placed a glass on the counter. He mixed seven or eight types of spirits and then added some white paste, pushing the glass towards Qian Ye.
Qian Ye did not drink immediately but wrinkled his nose, saying, “Added so many stimulants?”
The man shrugged, “Can’t help it, many brothers are injured lately, and this helps them feel better.”
Even in the Li family’s base, the stimulants added to the drinks were not high-quality. This white paste was the lowest grade, containing many impurities. These impurities made it easier to get excited and addicted, but they did not help with recovery.
The amount of stimulant in the glass was enough to burst a normal person’s blood vessels. For Qian Ye, however, it was just enough to give him a floating sensation, allowing him to let his thoughts wander.
Qian Ye picked up the glass, drank it in one go, and then placed the empty glass and another gold coin on the counter, saying, “Another one.”
After two glasses, Qian Ye’s face flushed abnormally. The surrounding noise became hazy and unclear.
This was exactly the feeling Qian Ye wanted.
But at that moment, the entire bar suddenly fell silent, the drastic change in volume making it seem as if the music had stopped.
The silence lasted only a moment before the bar erupted in a loud commotion, the sudden surge in volume almost deafening.
Everyone was shouting, their expressions a mix of excitement and fear, all looking fierce.
Amidst the shouts, Qian Ye’s wandering thoughts caught a crucial phrase:
“The Zhang family has lost.”
In a rush, the bar emptied as everyone surged outside. In moments, the bar was deserted, leaving only Qian Ye and the man behind the counter, even the waitresses were gone.
The man behind the counter continued to clean the glasses, as if it was the only thing worth focusing on in the world.
Qian Ye finished his drink, sighed, and said, “This war is going to be tough.”
“It never was easy,” the man behind the counter replied.
At that moment, Qian Ye recalled the empire’s definition of this war: a battle for the nation’s fate. At the same time, countless others had the same thought.
Since Zhang Boqian ascended to the pinnacle and was granted the title of Qingyang King, the Zhang family had been on the rise, undefeated on the front lines. Even after the Night Queen Lilith was awakened by the Evernight Council, they still had not gained the upper hand. From the Blood War to the Battle for the Essence of the Void, the empire had always held the advantage.
How could the Zhang family lose?
It seemed that as long as the Qingyang King and Marshal Lin were present, the empire would never taste defeat again.
Qian Ye suddenly rose and strode out of the bar.
Inside the base, chaos reigned. People rushed back and forth, and the topic of conversation was the same: the Zhang family had lost.
Amid the chaos, a shrill alarm sounded, followed by several deep voices amplified by origin power, covering the entire base: “Maintain order, do not panic! The latest battle report will be released soon. Please remain calm! Anyone deliberately causing chaos will be executed!”
Several Li family strongmen flew into the air, releasing their origin power without reservation, and repeatedly warned, finally bringing the situation under control. People gradually calmed down, awaiting the Li family’s announcement.
The Li family did not keep them waiting long. Soon, dozens of soldiers arrived at prominent locations to post the battle reports. At the same time, Li Tianquan appeared in the sky above the base, speaking loudly, “I am Li Tianquan! Please remain calm. Our base will not withdraw, and the military merit board will continue. All rewards and honors will be as usual!”
These words immediately calmed the crowd.
Qian Ye pondered the geography of the Floating Land. The Zhang family’s defeat exposed the Zhao family. The other direction, the Song family, was known to be on the brink. The main force of the Evernight army was concentrated on the Zhang family’s side, while the Song family and the Li family faced less than a third of the enemy forces. Even so, the Song family’s situation was dire, and collapse was only a matter of time.
With the Zhang family defeated and the Song family retreating, the empire’s territory would be reduced to the Zhao family’s region, with little room for maneuver. Because the large armies could not deploy in the Misty Forest, and due to the military merit board, the Li family’s situation, though increasingly difficult, could still be maintained. However, if the Zhang and Song families retreated, the Li family’s base would be isolated, facing attacks from three sides. If the Li family could not withstand the pressure, they would also retreat to the Zhao family’s territory.
The earlier panic was because of this.
However, Li Tianquan’s words suggested that the Li family intended to stay in the Misty Forest and fight to the death, which reassured many. Still, doubts lingered; some wondered if the Li family was only saying this to stabilize morale.
The battle reports were soon posted, and one was near Qian Ye. The report was brief, stating that the dark races had continuously increased their forces, besieging for over a month, and the Zhang family, unable to hold, abandoned the frontline fort and prepared to retreat to the Zhao family’s region to regroup and fight again.
After reading the report, Qian Ye pushed through the crowd and headed back to his quarters. Someone hurried past him, and as they crossed, he suddenly exclaimed, stopping Qian Ye.
The person was Li Weishi, his face full of worry. He looked at Qian Ye, startled, and asked, “General Qian Ye, are you planning to leave?”
Qian Ye nodded, “It’s time to go.”
Li Weishi sighed, “Good that you’re going. After the Zhang family’s retreat, the battles here won’t be favorable. If you’re heading back to the imperial mainland, you should hurry. There’s a cargo ship leaving tomorrow, I can arrange a spot for you.”
“I’m not returning to the empire, just changing battle zones.”
Li Weishi was stunned, “Changing battle zones? What zone is there to change to, except the Zhao family’s?”
Actually, the Song family’s territory was still intact, but the Moonlit Plain was indefensible, and the Song family’s combat strength was the weakest among the four major families. Even some top-tier clans might not match them, so in everyone’s minds, the Moonlit Plain was already written off.
“Really the Zhao family?!” Seeing Qian Ye did not deny it, Li Weishi pressed on.
Qian Ye nodded.
Li Weishi was shocked and urged, “Going to the Zhao family now is like throwing yourself into a death trap! Qian Ye, if you still want to fight, staying here is better. At least there’s the Misty Forest as a natural barrier, and the dark races can’t attack with full force. Also, there’s only a week left before the military merit board review. You’re leading now, but others might still catch up. It’s all for the empire, does it matter where you are?”
Despite Li Weishi’s earnest persuasion, Qian Ye just smiled and walked back to his quarters. Li Weishi sighed heavily, feeling a profound gloom.
At that moment, several off-road vehicles roared by, heading towards the airship landing field. The vehicles bore the emblem of the Marquis of Juyuan, the Yun family, and were loaded with people and simple luggage, clearly preparing to evacuate.
News had barely spread, and many were already thinking of leaving. Those who acted quickly and had good information had already packed and were ready to depart. Leaving later might mean being unable to leave. Once the signs of retreat appeared, Li Tianquan, no matter how incompetent, knew to place all airships under his control.
Watching the Marquis of Juyuan’s group leave, Li Weishi could only manage a bitter smile and sigh, “Smart people indeed!”
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